Dilator



Sept. 21, 1954 c. E wAKEFlELD 2,689,568

DILATOR Filed Aug. 14, 1952 C. E. Wakefield INVENTOR 1 I I BY 7 I I I I ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 21, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DILATOR Charlie E. Wakefield, Ada, Okla. Application August 14, 1952, Serial No. 304,410

(01. use-345) 1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to dilator construction, and more particularly to the construction of dilators designed primarily for insertion in the ear for holding the ear dilated to facilitate the cleaning and treating of the ear.

An important object of the invention is to provide a dilator which may be operated to dilate the ear opening to various degrees of dilation to be determined by the requirements incident to the particular type of treatment to be administered.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dilator which may be used as a means for dilating the outer or middle ear, thereby improving the hearing.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claim, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawing,

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a dilator constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view taken at right angles to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of a dilator showing the blades thereof as in their expanded positions.

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of the dilator.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view taken from the opposite end of the dilator.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view through an enlarged figure of the dilator.

, Referring to the drawing in detail, the dilator comprises the body portion 5 which is in the form of a band with integral dilator blades 6 the material of whichthe body and portion and blades are constructed being of a flexible character, so that the blades may be bent laterally, to accomplishthe purpose of the invention.

The reference character 1 indicates a shaft that extends transversely through the body, with the ends of the shaft fitted in openings of the body.

Secured intermediate the ends of the shaft 1, is the nut 8 through which the threaded shaft 9 extends, the threaded shaft 9 also passing through the collar II) which is held against movement longitudinally of the shaft 9, by the pin l5 that engages said shaft 9 so that rotary movement of the threaded shaft will cause the shaft 9 to move through the nut 8 moving the collar i0 towards the nut 8 in expanding the blades 6 of the dilator.

Ears I! extend from opposite sides of the collar l0, and are pivotally connected with the links I2 that also have pivotal connection with the blades 6, at [3.

As clearly shown by the drawing, the blades 6 are substantially narrow and elongated, the blades being curved outwardly at l4 so that when the blades are positioned in the ear opening, they will conform to the shape of the ear to prevent the dilator from slipping from the ear opening, when the blades are expanded in dilating the ear.

The threaded shaft 9 is provided with the knurled enlargement l5 disposed adjacent to one end thereof, the knurled enlargement being disposed with such relation to the blades that the threaded shaft may be conveniently operated to spread or contract the blades, as desired.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shown and described, I have provided a dilator specially designed for use in dilating the opening of the car so that a syringe or other means used in treating the ear may be extended into the car without obstruction by the dilator.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

A dilator of the class described, comprising a circular body, a pair of elongated dilator blades formed integral with said circular body and extending in parallel spaced relation with each other, from one edge of the body, a shaft extending across the circular body, a nut on the shaft and disposed intermediate the ends thereof, an adjusting screw threaded in said nut and disposed between said blades, longitudinally of said blades, a collar mounted on said adjusting screw, and pivoted links connecting the collar with said blades whereby rotation of said adjusting screw expands or retracts the blades with respect to the adjusting screw.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 242,443 Foote June 7, 1881 1,331,737 Yllsto Feb. 24, 1920 1,950,788 Ewerhardt Mar. 13, 1934 

